Empower, educate: Film celebs on National Girl Child Day

Mumbai: Give girls wings to fly by empowering and educating them, say film celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Twinkle Khanna and Richa Chadha on National Girl Child Day on Wednesday.

“A girl’s path in life is filled with tremendous odds for them. This National Girl Child Day, let us break down these barriers and let them reach for their dreams. Meri Beti Meri Shakti,” Amitabh tweeted.

Twinkle Khanna, who is debuting as producer with “Pad Man” — which talks about the need of awareness on menstrual hygiene — said: “I have a little one, a year younger than my daughter whom I have promised to educate all the way through college. I urge you to educate one girl child each and help empower the next generation! Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao.”

Sonam Kapoor, who features in “Pad Man”, wrote: “Every year, we celebrate National Girl Child Day to increase awareness about equality. It’s incredibly important for us to educate ourselves on the necessity of girls having access to education, nutrition and health care. I am so proud to be a woman and hope that we can join hands in supporting our girls.”

Richa Chadha took to her social media to give her take on the #HeforShe campaign, administered by the United Nations to make men and boys be the agents of change for equal rights for women. She feels the campaign should be more inclusive as #HeForUs, concentrating on balanced treatment for both genders.

In the video, Richa said: “I got a thought on this National Girl Child Day that while we talk about government initiatives like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, but I think we need to discuss things like everyday sexism too. Things like discussing gender pay disparity, or the hesitant attitude to report sexual crime. And even the fact that the number of child rapes are increasing everyday.

“What does that mean? Are women only objects which are used and thrown away. Not a day we wake up where there isn’t a disturbing news. How will we as a country progress where half the population is treated as a liability. Adding to that, I feel this HeForShe movement… I feel for the survival of the human race, it depends on both men and women.

“I feel it should be HeForUs instead. We need to survive, we need to feel equal. I am hoping the attitude should change, which is already happening, but we still have a long way to do. But here’s hoping we can all do it together, because it is the need of the hour.”

“Pink” actress Taapsee Pannu, who has been promoting the need of self defence training for women, said: “I wish on this National Girl Child Day, we stand for each other and for oneself, and we make it a collaborative effort. In a patriarchal society like ours, providing education and the right mindfulness for young girls from the beginning has become imperative.

“So on this day, I wish to activate more initiatives for these girls so that they become independent and can fight for themselves. We are in conversation with few experts and NGOs and I hope it works out soon.”